The Axiom-4 mission, carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, is scheduled to launch on Wednesday, June 25, at 12:01 PM (IST). Following multiple delays, the mission is now set for liftoff. SpaceX confirmed via a post that the launch conditions are favorable, with all systems functioning correctly. The presence of Group Captain Shukla, who will pilot the Ax-4 mission, adds a special significance for Indians. Shukla is also among the four astronauts selected for ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission.
Shukla expressed his excitement about piloting the historic Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS). Born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on October 10, 1985, he was commissioned into the IAF fighter wing in June 2006. He has logged an impressive 2,000 hours of flight experience across diverse aircraft including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32.
In 2019, he began a year-long training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Star City, Moscow, Russia. On February 27, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Shukla as one of the astronauts undergoing intensive training for India’s maiden human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan.
In a YouTube video by the Ax-4 mission, Shukla spoke of his joy about the opportunity to go to space. He shared that he was informed about his selection approximately a week before the Axiom mission. He was extremely happy as this was a real chance to fly to space. Shukla considers his fellow crew members to be exceptional. He believes that he will have these crew members for this flight and they will be friends for life.
Shukla reflected on his training as an amazing journey. Through this mission, Shukla aims to inspire a generation in India and to spark curiosity about scientific endeavors among children. For him, even changing one life through his story would be a huge success.
Ax-4 Mission Commander, Peggy Whitson, praised Shukla’s operational abilities, highlighting his smartness in spacecraft technologies.
